Internet audio gateway

ABSTRACT

A method and system is disclosed for an internet audio gateway ( 114 ) for delivering data based audio content to devices that are incapable of receiving and processing such content in the data form or where the device is capable of receiving and processing such data but the network ( 110 ) is not capable of delivering such content.

BACKGROUND

The field of the invention relates to wireless communications networksand specifically to a system that allows streaming of Internet basedaudio content to wireless users.

There is no current solution of the problem in such a form where eitherthe device or the network is capable of delivering data based audiocontent in an efficient manner.

SUMMARY

The invention discloses a methodology of selecting static and dynamicaudio contents derived from, for example, the internet, intranet orother sources in the data mode via, for example, a data browser, anddelivery of the said content in the form of data to wireless devices viathe traditional wireless voice path (not on the data path). Theinvention for a wireless environment as well as a wired environment.

Examples of the content include streaming internet audio contents suchas: Internet radio stations; serialized audio books; audio versions ofnewspapers and magazines; custom business audio content; seminars; talkshows; transcoded content, for example, from video to audio; and anaudio feed from television shows.

Some other examples include information messages such as: mobiletelephone ring tones; weather reports; sports reports; business reports;horoscopes; soap opera reviews; movie reviews and schedules; and trafficreports.

Some other examples include music audio files such as: MP3 audio Filesand CD audio files. Other types of audio files, such as, .wav, .au, realaudio, windows media, mpeg, etc. are also envisioned.

The invention solves the problem of delivering data based audio contentto devices that are incapable of receiving and processing such contentin the data form or where the device is capable of receiving andprocessing such data but the network is not capable of delivering suchcontent.

One advantage is that there is no impact on the existing networkinfrastructure or device. Therefore, in accordance with the previoussummary, objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure willbecome apparent to one skilled in the art from the subsequentdescription and the appended claims taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the network architecture for the presentinvention;

FIGS. 2-8 are CDMA call flow diagrams for a first embodiment of theinvention; and

FIGS. 9-14 are GSM call flow diagrams for a second embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure can be described by the embodiments given below.It is understood, however, that the embodiments below are notnecessarily limitations to the present disclosure, but are used todescribe a typical implementation of the invention.

Now referring to FIG. 1, a network architecture 100 for an internetradio service is shown. Within an SS7 network 108, an STP 102, an HLR104 and SCP 106 is shown. The SS7 network 108 is shown connected to aMSC 110, a GMSC 112 and an Internet Audio Gateway 114. Connected to theInternet Audio Gateway 114, is an Internet Radio Application Server 116through a SIP connection and the Internet 124. In addition, the InternetRadio Application Server 116 is connected to a Wireless Access Protocol(WAP) Gateway/WAP Push 126.

Moreover, a Private Data Service Node (PDSN) 122 is connected to theInternet Audio Gateway 114 as well as the Internet 124 and a PCF 120. Inturn, the PCF 120 is connected to a Base Station Controller 118 whichalso connects to the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 110 and Base StationSystem (BSS) 128. The BSS 128 in turn allows wireless users (mobilestations—MS) 130 to connect to the network 100. In this embodiment, thenetwork allows users to select a radio station from a list and listen tohe radio station during the same session through streaming audio.

Now turning to FIGS. 2-8, a Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA)call flow for the Internet Audio Gateway will be described.Particularly, FIG. 2, shows the MS 130 initiating a packet session andselecting a service in reference to stage 220. Specifically, the MS 130sends an origination message 224 to BSS 128. The BSS 128 in turn sends aBSSM:CL3 Info:CM_Service Request[Service Option=Packet Data Service]message 226 to MSC 110. MSC 110 in turn returns an Assignment_requestmessage 228 to the BSS 128. TCH Setup 230 then occurs between the BSS128 and the MS 130. The BSS 128 then sends an A9-Setup-A8 message 232 tothe PCF 120. An A11-Registration Request message 234 is then sent fromthe PCF 120 to the PDSN/FA 122. An A11-Registration Reply message 236 isthen sent from the PDSN/FA 122 to the PCF 120. The PCF 120 then sends anA9-Connect-A8 message 238 to the BSS 128. The BSS 128 then sends anAssignment_complete message 240 to the MSC 110. A Point to Point (PPP)connection is then established between the MS 130 and the PDSN/FA 122.

In addition, a MIP Agent Advertisement 244 is then sent from the PDSN/FA122 to the MS 130. In turn, the MS 130 then sends a MIP RegistrationRequest 246 to the PDSN/FA 122. The PDSN/FA 122 then sends an MIPRegistration Request 248 to the Wireless Soft Switch (WSS) 212 portionof the Internet Audio Gateway 114. The WSS 212 then sends a MIPRegistration Reply 250 to the PDSN/FA 122. The PDSN/FA 122 then sendsthe MIP Registration Reply 252 to the MS 130.

Now turning to FIG. 2, the WSS 212 sends a MEGACO:ADD message 306 to theWireless Media Gateway (WMG) 214 portion of the Internet Audio Gateway114. The WMG 214 then establishes termination points with the IP networkat stage 310 and then sends a MEGACO:Success message 308 to the WSS 212.A Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) Browser Session 312 is then establishedbetween the MS 130 and the WAP Gateway (GW) 126. A WAP Session 314 isalso then established between the MS 130 and the WAP GW 126. A home pageis then downloaded from an Operator Application Server 302 at stage 322and then sent 316 to the MS 130. The user then selects “Internet RadioServices” from the operator home page at stage 320. The selection isthen sent 318 from the MS 130 to the WAP GW 126. Stage 324 indicatesthat the selection is hyper linked to the Internet Radio applicationserver. A message 326 is then sent from the WAP GW 126 to the InternetRadio (1R) Application Server 116 indicating that the user selectedInternet Radio service. IR content 328 is then sent from the IRApplication Server 116 to the WAP GW 126. Encoded content 330 is thensent from the WAP GW 126 to the MS 130.

Now turning to FIG. 4, an IR menu 402 is presented to the user with achoice of NY, Montreal and Dallas cities as choices for the InternetRadio service. In this embodiment, the user chooses Dallas and then theMS 130 encoded the content in a message 406 that is sent to the WAP GW126. The WAP GW 126 then sends Dallas selection 408 to the IRApplication Server 116. The IR Application Server then sends the WAP GW126 a Dallas IR menu 404 with local stations for the Dallas area aschoices for the user. The WAP GW 126 then sends 410 the menu to the MS130. The user then chooses from the local stations and sends 412 theselections back to the WAP GW 126, which, in turn, sends 414 theselection to the IR Application Server 116.

Now turning to FIG. 5, the IR Application Server 116 sends a menu 502 tothe WAP GW 126 and then 503 to the MS 130 to select when the user isready to listen. When the user chooses to listen from the menu 504, theselection is then sent 506 as an origination message to the BSS 128. Inthis embodiment, the selection of ready to listen is a WTA link with adialing number and is sent to the BSS 128 from the MS 130. The BSS 128then sends an CM Service Request[Service Option=Voice] message 508 tothe MSC 110. A CDMA voice call setup 510 is then established between theMS 130 and MSC 110. The MSC 110 then sends an ISUP:IAM message 512 tothe WSS 212. Now turning to the event numbered 514, the WSS 212recognizes the incoming call to the WTA link as IR service. The WSS 212associates the MIN with the MS IP address and informs the IR ApplicationServer 116 to stream IR to the MS 130. A MEGACO:Modify message 516 issent from the WSS 212 to the WMG 214. At this point 518, the WSS 212commands the WMG 214 to disable packet data routing to the MS 130 whilethe user is on the voice call. The WMG 214 then sends a MEGACO:Successmessage 518 to the WSS 212. The WSS 212 then sends a MEGACO:Add message520 to the WMG 214. The WMG 214 then establishes 522 a local (for theMSC 110) and a remote (for the IR Application Server 116) terminationpoints for the voice connection. The WMG 214 then sends a MEGACO:Successmessage 524 back to the WSS 212.

Now turning to FIG. 6, the WSS 212 establishes a far end connection withthe IR Application Server 116 at event 602, by sending a HTTP request604 to the IR Application Server 116. The IR Application Server 116 thensends a HTTP response 606 to the WSS 212. The WSS 212 then sends anISUP:ACM (without alerting) message 608 to the MSC 110, as well as anISUP:ANM message 610. A voice connection is then established 612 betweenthe MS 130 and the IR Application Server 116. Audio is then sent fromthe IR Application Server 116 to the MS 130. Specifically, the IRApplication Server 116 streams 618 the audio to the WMG 214 and then theWMG 214 buffers 616 the audio and then sends it to the MS 130.

Now turning to FIG. 7, a call flow is shown that changes a radio stationthat the user is listening to. At stage 702, the MS 130 decides toswitch radio stations and sends a message 703 to end the voice callsession to the MSC 110. A voice call release 704 is then establishedbetween the MSC 110 and MS 130. The MSC 110 also sends an ISUP:Releasemessage 706 to the WSS 212. In turn, the WSS 212 sends an ISUP:Releasecomplete message 708 to the MSC 110. In addition, the WSS 212 sends aMEGACO:Subtract message 710 to the WMG 214 and commands 712 the WMG 214to remove the context for the voice call termination points. The WMG 214then sends a MEGACO:Success message 714 to the WSS 212. The WSS 212 thensends 716 a command to the WMG 214 to enable packet data routing to gothrough for the MS 130 while the MS 130 is not on a voice call. AMEGACO:Modify message 718 is sent the WMG 214. The WMG 214 then respondswith a MEGACO:Success message 720.

Now turning to FIG. 8, the MS 130 re-establishes 802 the WAP browsersession 804 with the IR Application Server 116. The WAP Session is alsoestablished 806 between the MS 130 and the IR Application Server 116.The IR Application Server 116 then sends 808 a menu 404 with localstations to the WAP GW 126, which then sends 810 them 404 to the MS 130.The MS 130 then selects another radio station and a voice connection isthen established as indicated by elements 812, 814 and 816.

Now turning to FIG. 9, a call flow is shown that activates a session forthe MS 130. The MS 130 first performs a combined GPRS and IMSI attach902. Then the user launches a WAP browser session from the MS 130 bysending an Activate PDP Context_req 904 to the SGSN 928. The SGSN 928then sends a Create PDP Context_Req 906 to WSS 212. A session is thenestablished 908 between the WSS 212 and the Operator Application Server302. In addition, the WSS 212 then sends a Create PDP Context Resp 910to SGSN 928. The SGSN 928 then sends an Activate PDP Context_Accept 912to the MS 130. The MS 130 can then establish a WAP session with theOperator Application Server 302. A homepage is then downloaded 920 andsent 916 to the MS 130. The user then selects 918 IR Service from thehomepage sends the selection 924 to the Operator Application Server 302.In this embodiment, the IR Service selection links to the IR ApplicationServer 116 and thus sends a User Request URL: “IR Service” message 926to the IR Application Server 116.

Now turning to FIG. 10, the service activation is continued. The IRApplication Server 116 first sends 1002 IR Menu 402 to the OperatorApplication Server 302. The Operator Application Server 302 then sends1004 the IR Menu 402 encoded to the MS 130. The user then selects fromIR Menu 402 and sends the encoded selection 1006 to the OperatorApplication Server 302. The selection is then also sent 1008 to the IRApplication Server 116. The IR Application Server 116 then sends 1010 aDallas Menu 404 to the Operator Application Server 302 with localselections to choose from. The Operator Application Server 302 thensends 1012 the Dallas Menu 404 to the MS 130. The user then selects fromthe Dallas Menu 404 and sends 1014 the encoded selection to the OperatorApplication Server 302. The Operator Application Server 302 then sends1016 the selection to the IR Application Server 116. A Ready to listenmenu 1022 is then sent 1018 to the Operator Application Server 302 whichthen sends 1020 the menu 1022 to the MS 130.

Now turning to FIG. 11, the service activation is continued. The Readyto listen menu 504 in this embodiment actually includes a WTA link thatdials number “#333” to activate the IR service when the user selectsready to listen. If the user selects not ready to listen, the previousmenu is then sent to the user. When the user selects ready to listen, aCM_Service_Request[MO Call] 1102 is sent to the MSC 110 and a GSM VoiceCall is then setup 1104. An ISUP:IAM message 1106 is then sent to theWSS 212. At this point 1108, the WSS 212 recognizes incoming call to#333 as IR Service. The WSS 212 associates the MIN with the MS IPaddress and informs the IR Application Server 116 to stream IR to the MS130. The WSS 212 sends a MEGACO:Modify message 1110 to the WMG 214 andcommands the WMG 214 to disable packet data routing to the MS 130 whileon the voice call. The WMG 214 then sends a MEGACO:Success message 1114to the WSS 212. In turn, the WSS 212 then sends a MEGACO:Add message1116 to the WMG 214. The WMG 214 then establishes 1118 a local (for theMSC 110) and a remote (for the IR Application Server 116) terminationpoint for voice communication. The WMG 214 then sends a MEGACO:Successmessage 1120 to the WSS 212.

Now turning to FIG. 12, the service activation is continued. The WSS 212establishes 1200 a far end connection with the IR Application Server 116for providing the streaming audio (or canned) by sending a HTTP Request1202 to the IR Application Server 116. A HTTP Response 1204 is then sentback to the WSS 212 from the IR Application Server 116. The WSS 212 thensends a ISUP:ACM (without alerting) message 1206 as well as an ISUP:ANMmessage 1208 to the MSC 110. The GSM Voice call setup 1210 is thenfinished between the MS 130 and the MSC 110, and an Audio Path isEstablished 1214. The audio is then played 1216 at the MS 130 by the IRApplication Server 116 streaming the audio 1220 to the WSS 212, where itis buffered 1218, and then sent to the MS 130.

Now turning to FIG. 13, a scenario is described where the user decidesto switch audio channels. At this point 1302, the MS 130 decides toswitch to a different channel and triggers the end of the voice session1303. The voice call is then released 1304 between the MS 130 and theSGSN 928. An ISUP:Release message 1306 is sent from the MSC 110 to theWSS 212. The WSS 212 then sends an ISUP:Release Complete message 1308 tothe MSC 110. The WSS 212 then sends a MEGACO:Subtract message 1310 tothe WMG 214 and commands the W124 to remove the context for the voicecall termination points. The WMG 214 then sends a MEGACO:Success message1314 to the WSS 212. The WSS 212 then sends a command 1318 to the WMG214 to enable packet data routing to go through for the MSC 110 whilethe user is not on a Voice call. Creating a new context is not requiredat this point given that a tunnel is established at the WMG 214 for theMS 130. The WSS 212 sends a MEGACO:Modify message 1316 to the WMG 214and in turn, the WMG 214 sends a MEGACO:Success message 1320 back to theWSS 212.

Now turning to FIG. 14, the scenario of changing audio channels iscontinued. At this point 1402, the MS 130 re-establishes the WAP browserSession 1404 to the IR Application Server 116, and thus the WAP sessionis established 1406. The IR Application Server 116 then sends the DallasIR menu 404 back 1408 to the Operator Application Server 302, which inturn, sends 1410 the Dallas local menu 404 to the MS 130. The MS 130then selects a local station and then the voice call is establishedagain as indicated 1412, 1414, and 1416.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention, as set forth in the following claims.

1. A method for providing Internet based audio to a user in a wirelessnetwork, the method comprising: initiating a request to establish aPoint to Point (PPP) session from a mobile station (MS) to a PrivateData Service Node (PDSN); establishing a connection from the PDSN to aInternet Audio Gateway; establishing a Wireless Access Protocol (WAP)Browser session between the MS and a WAP gateway; establishing a WAPsession between the MS and WAP gateway; selecting from a plurality ofInternet Audio contents to play on the MS; and sending a selection ofthe plurality of Internet Audio contents to the MS.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the selecting from a plurality of Internet Audiocontents includes selecting from a set of cities.
 3. The method of claim1 wherein the selecting from a plurality of Internet Audio contentsincludes selecting from a set of audio contents that are within ageographic region.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the selecting from aplurality of Internet Audio contents includes selecting from a pluralityof radio stations.
 5. The method of claim 1 further including changingthe selection of the plurality of Internet Audio contents.
 6. The methodof claim 1 wherein the MS utilizes a Global Service Messaging wirelessstandard for wireless communication.
 7. The method of claim 1 whereinthe MS utilizes a Code Division Multiplexing Access protocol forwireless communication.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the audiocontent is streamed to the Internet Audio gateway and buffered and thensent to the MS.
 9. A wireless communications network for providingInternet based audio to a user in the wireless communications network,the network comprising: a Private Data Service Node (PDSN); a mobilestation (MS) initiating a request to establish a Point to Point (PPP)session from the MS to the PDSN; an Internet Audio Gateway, wherein thePDSN establishes a connection to a Internet Audio Gateway; a WirelessAccess Protocol (WAP) Gateway, wherein a Wireless Access Protocol (WAP)Browser session is established between the MS and the WAP gateway and aWAP session is established between the MS and the WAP gateway; and aplurality of Internet Audio contents to play on the MS, wherein the userselects from the plurality of Internet Audio contents and the selectionis streamed to the Internet Audio Gateway, wherein the Internet AudioGateway buffers the stream of audio content and a portion of the audiocontent is sent from the Internet Audio Gateway to the MS.
 10. Thenetwork of claim 9 wherein the plurality of Internet Audio contentsincludes a set of cities.
 11. The network of claim 9 wherein theplurality of Internet Audio contents includes a set of audio contentsthat are within a geographic region.
 12. The network of claim 9 furtherincluding an ability to change the selection of the plurality ofInternet Audio contents.
 13. The network of claim 9 wherein the MSutilizes a Global Service Messaging wireless standard for wirelesscommunication.
 14. The network of claim 9 wherein the MS utilizes a CodeDivision Multiplexing Access protocol for wireless communication. 15.The network of claim 9 wherein the audio content is streamed from theInternet Audio gateway to the MS.
 16. A method for providing Internetbased audio to a user in a wireless network, the method comprising:initiating a request to establish a Point to Point (PPP) session from amobile station (MS) to a Private Data Service Node (PDSN); establishinga connection from the PDSN to a Internet Audio Gateway; establishing aWireless Access Protocol (WAP) Browser session between the MS and a WAPgateway; establishing a WAP session between the MS and WAP gateway;selecting from a plurality of Internet Audio contents to play on the MS;streaming a selection of the plurality of Internet Audio contents to theInternet Audio Gateway; buffering a stream of audio content at theInternet Audio Gateway; and sending a portion of the audio content fromthe Internet Audio Gateway to the MS.
 17. The method of claim 16 whereinthe selecting from a plurality of Internet Audio contents includesselecting from a set of cities.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein theselecting from a plurality of Internet Audio contents includes selectingfrom a set of audio contents that are within a geographic region. 19.The method of claim 16 wherein the selecting from a plurality ofInternet Audio contents includes selecting from a plurality of radiostations.
 20. The method of claim 16 further including changing theselection of the plurality of Internet Audio contents.